01:40 The Rise of ASL

Steven and Ben talk about American Sign Language’s rise as a popular language to study, and ponder the reasons for it. Steven goers on to explain the intracacies of deaf culture, and shares his experiences living with deaf parents and his role in the deaf community.

36:32 Speech-To-Text Challenges

Steven and Ben transition to talking more about speech-to-text user interfaces (e.g., Siri, Google Now) as an accessibility tool, and the challenges Apple and Google face in making the AI better for those with accents and non-standard speech (stutterers).

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00:50 Anthony and Elias explain how they got started producing Grail to the Thief.

In the opener, Anthony and Elias share their respective backgrounds, and how they got interested in accessible gaming. The conversation then turns to the genesis of Grail to the Thief: its inspiration, how it was built, and why it exists.

20:53 The state of accessible gaming.

Here, we continue talking about accessible gaming and Grail to the Thief, and delve into a discussion on the state of the gaming industry as it relates to the accessibility community. We all agree that there’s a severe dearth of games that are accessible by the visually impaired, and wonder how and why this is the case.

31:34 Mechanics, gaming experiences, and why real voices beat screen readers.

In the last part of the show, we talk about our own experiences playing games, and talk a good bit about the mechanics of the game and its development. We also talk about text-to-speech software such as screen readers for the blind and Siri, and how the sound of the voice makes an impact on the understanding and enjoyment of the app or game.

Episode Links:

• Grail to the Thief Kickstarter Page Project page for the game, with video overview.
• Grail to the Thief Prototype Playable demo of the game, in-browser.
• For All to Play Official website of For All to Play
• Anthony Russo on Twitter
• Elias Aoude on Twitter

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06:17 Public Transit

In the opening segment, Steven introduces the second themed show for Accessible, then proceeds to talk about how and why he relies on public transit, including the PA systems of the busses and trains. As a non-driver, public transit is essential to Steven’s ability to independently get around.

20:46 On Foot

Steven and Ben segue into talking about what happens after Steven gets off the bus or train. They talk about the raised yellow bumps on the ramps at curbs, as well as the usability of the accessible traffic lights (via chirping and spoken feedback). Steven also explains his aversion to using a cane, and how and why carrying one is an important accessibility tool while traveling. Finally, they discuss iOS apps that aid in getting around.

35:05 Putting Things in Context

Steven gives context to his experiences as a visually impaired traveler, sharing how he was taught to ride public transit and the like during school. Steven reiterates the importance of public transit and how it makes life more accessible, and relishes the fact that his ever-growing familiarity with San Francisco will prevent him from getting lost at this year’s WWDC.

LINKS:

• BART: Bay Area Rapid Transit —- Official website of the Bay Area’s “subway” system.
• AC Transit: Alameda-Contra Costa (Co.) Transit —- Official website of the East Bay Area’s public bus system with which Steven is so deeply familiar.
• SFMTA: San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority —- Official website of MUNI, San Francisco’s public bus system with which Steven is becoming ever more familiar.
• Transit App —- Official website of the Transit app for iOS and Android.
• Orientation & Mobility —- Wkipedia entry that explains Orientation & Mobility training services to people who are visually impaired.

With Ben away this week, Steven was joined by Vic Hudson for a theme-based episode on accessibility and the hearing impaired. Topics include Steven’s background in the deaf community, deaf tech, and the role Apple’s Accessibility software innovations help the hearing impaired use and enjoy iOS devices.

06:17 The Deaf Community

In the first segment, Steven and Vic discuss Steven’s background in the deaf community: how he learned to speak sign language, what it was like living in a deaf household, and the perspective these childhood experiences gave in terms of accessibility technology.

20:46 Deaf Tech

Steven and Vic segue to talk about the accessibility technology Steven encountered growing up, and what’s still in use today. They talk TDDs, VRSes, light-up phones and doorbells, and Steven explains how the California Relay Service (CRS) works.

35:05 Apple & The Deaf

Lastly, Steven and Vic discusses the role Apple products play in assisting the hearing impaired in using them effectively. They talk FaceTime and Siri, iPhones for the deaf, Apple Retail accessibility workshops, and tie it all together with a discussion on Apple’s Accessibility innovations

LINKS:

• CODA: Children of Deaf Adults —- International organization that brings together, as the name implies, children with deaf adults.

• SEE: Signing Exact English —- Wikipedia entry for the alternative signing method (to ASL), described as an “exact representation of English vocabulary and grammar”.

• TDD: Telecommunication Device for the Deaf —- Wikipedia entry for the TDD, the text-based telephone system used by the deaf and hard of hearing.

• VRS: Video Relay Service —- Wikipedia entry for VRS devices, standalone “phones” made for the hearing impaired which allow for calling via a method similar to FaceTime or Skype.

• CRS: California Relay Service —- Official website of the CRS, a state-run service that helps the hearing- and/or speech-impaired communicate with the hearing (and vice-versa) via telephone.

• “FaceTime Every Day” —- Post on Steven’s Blog wherein Steven interprets the sign language used in the iPhone 5 TV ad.

• “Apple and the I-Word: Accessibility as Innovation” —- Steven’s piece for his blog in which he writes that Apple’s ability to innovate isn’t lost, and points to Accessibility as proof.